MY PERU ADVENTURE: Trekking to Machu Picchu

This October, I’m taking part in an exciting trekking adventure in the mountains of Peru to raise money for World Vision Australia. And I need your help to reach my fundraising target!

I’ve teamed up with Inspired Adventures, a company that organises life-changing trips in support of various charities, to join a group of like-minded Aussies on a two-week trip to Peru. I’ll be visiting Lima, then flying to Cusco where I’ll acclimatise to the high altitude and check out the Urubamba Valley. That’s followed by the highlight of the trip, a 4-day trek from Cusco all the way to the ‘Lost city of the Incas’ Machu Picchu. Sounds pretty cool right? I know, I can’t wait – not only will I get to experience all this awesomeness, but I’ll also be raising money for World Vision Australia.

World Vision is Australia’s largest overseas aid organisation, working in over 59 countries to provide aid to poverty-stricken communities all over the world. Part of my trip includes a visit to a World Vision project in Peru to see first-hand what the money we raise goes towards. My goal is to raise $5000 by the end of September, so if you would like to support me then please visit my fundraising page and donate a few bucks. It would mean a lot to me and you will be helping a great cause.

I’ve been wanting to do something like this for awhile. As much as I am LOVING my new dream career as a cartoonist, the fact of the matter is that I spend all my time indoors in a small room, slouched over a drawing table or computer. I need to practice what I preach in my comics and get out into the world, explore new places, experience other cultures and just do something exciting.

Also, of all the seven wonders of the world, Machu Picchu is the one I’ve always wanted to see the most. For the uninitiated, Machu Picchu is the ruins of a 500-year old Incan city situated high up in the mountains of the Andes, 2500m above sea-level. It was never found by the Spanish during their rule and was only discovered by the outside world in 1911.

I’m really looking forward to it and I know that with your help, we can reach the fundraising target. Of course I will blog all about the trip and take lots of photos and share it with you when I return.

In the meantime, since there’s no way I’m fit enough to attempt a 4-day trek at high altitude right now, I have just over two months to get in shape!

Thanks as always – I’ll keep you updated with how it goes.
– Gav

UPDATE: The fundraising has ended – thanks to everyone who donated! I really appreciate it and I can’t wait for my trip in late October.

Discussion (36) ¬

Hey! I’m from Perú, I live in Lima (Miraflores) It’s great to read about this new adventure!! I wish you very good luck, you’re going to enjoy Cusco so much!!! It’s awesome!! If you need my help just let me know!

Hi! im so happy your coming to Peru. Im from Peru and if you need any travel tips let me know, or if you need a guide for Lima. I agree with one of the comments here. Maybe you could do one by Vallejo, or Jose Santos Chocano. Vallejo is bar the most famous (paramount to Shakespeare) but he can be a bit on the dark side. However i highly recommend you check him out.!

Funny that your fundraising page is called Everyday hero.
I have a movement called Everyday Superhero (check it out in FB) that promotes creative projects to help kids in need all aorund the world. I will spread the word about your Peru adventure right away!
the movement will also pitch some USD in for the cause
Keep up the good work!

Hey Gav! Im from Peru too. Macchu Picchu is stunning and wonderful, you will love it. Specially is youre trekking all the way day, my friends told me its way better seeing it after days trying to get there. Hope you have time to see other parts of our beautiful country.

this is actually the first time I see your page and I found out I have some of your comics, I found them searching in the web. Good to see you do tons more and they are all inspiring. Congratulations 🙂 and have a safe trip!

Thanks for the well wishes, especially from all you Peruvian readers! I’m not sure if I will be able to organise anything, I think I only have my first night in Lima free, after something like 16 hours of travel … I’ll let you know if this changes – thanks so much, would love some to meet some local fans

Hi Emily, It is an awesome trip. Inspired Adventures run charity challenges/fundraising adventures out of Australia. Technically you don’t have to be Australian but it does help with the fundraising side of things. You can check out http://www.inspiredadventures.com.au or send an email to info@inspiredadventures.com.au for more information. Katie

Hey Gav!!! Nice trip you have planned!!, I´m another peruvian reader and I also did that almost 4 day trekking trip to Macchu Picchu.Buddy, a piece of advice, do some serious work out, cardio and legs, an get nice equipment or you’r gonna end with your knees trashed. Good Luck!!

I’m just back from teaching underprivileged children English in Lima and fundraising to help set up a day care centre so that parents can find work to support their families. We also went to Machu Picchu but didn’t do the 4 day trek – climbing up stairs for 3 hours in 30 degree heat was enough for us! Machu Picchu is incredible – photos don’t do it justice. I didn’t get to see the sun gate – jealous that you might!
My host family told me that to acclimatise to the altitude you should eat light and not do too much exercise. Also, Cusco is higher than Machu Picchu and is a beautiful town.
Best of luck 🙂

Like others, while I recognize that WorldVision does a lot of good, I’d rather not donate to an evangelical organization. Is there a way you could do a separate fund for those of us with less evangelistic proclivities?

Hey,
So a piece of insider advice. See the mountain next to Machu Picchu? It’s called Huayna Picchu and you can hike it as well! At the top is what most believe to be the priest’s private quarters. Its super beautiful and awesome and I wanted to let you know before you leave because they only let 500 people a day hike it. It’s free and stuff too.

I’ll be doing the hike this November! Instead of celebrating my birthday by partying or accepting gifts, every year I donate my birthday to a cause. This year I’m travelling to Cuzco to volunteer at an orphanage, and I’m tacking my Inca Trail hike onto the end of that trip. I’m unbelievably excited, and I can’t wait to try and top this next year 😀

Hola Gav!
I am from Peru and I´m really happy knowing you are coming to Peru! Machu Picchu is a wonderful place. Don´t forget to take a lot of pictures there.
It would be nice if you could make a cartoon about a Peruvian writer quote. I know it´s a lot to ask and I know I may be crossing the line asking you this, but it would be an HONOR for all of us to see a quote so beautifully plotted. From any author.
thanks you for all the beautiful and inspiring art work. you´ve help me a lot through hard times

I agree with John. World Vision primarily cares about converting people and does so through charity. Read their corporate reports.

Many more people need to know this, as they think funds go to build wells and so on, but funds seem to be split between that and building churches/sending missionaries to convert people. More religion is hardly what struggling people need.